Teachers learn to build 3D printer for the classroom

Jan.5, 2014

One of the good things about 3D printing technology is that it turns users from being passive consumers to active creators. But how can schools prepare their students to become 3D savvy?

Through a collaboration between the Orange County School Department of Education and Airwolf 3D, teachers from Orange County educational institutions are about learn everything about 3D printing. On a Saturday in December 2013, more than 18 teachers that ranged from junior high schools to community colleges assembled at 8am for an extraordinary day of teacher training: each was going to build a 3D printer for their classrooms. Then they would learn how to operate them, and then they would go forth and teach. It was called Build Day.

Training was provided by Erick Wolf of Airwolf 3D. Each teacher was assigned a work station and an Airwolf Kit — a box of more than 500 parts that comprised each Airwolf XL printer, as well as a set of tools and assembly and user manuals. Over the course of the next eight hours the teachers learned how to assemble the stationary frame, build the moving parts, and install and calibrate the electronics. Their first prints ranged from small vases to toy rockets. By the end of the day, 3D printers were ready to be pressed into service for student education.

Build Day served as the kick-off of the 2014 Maker Challenge, a collaborative project of Career Technical Education of Orange County that is providing an opportunity for local students to participate in an integrated STEM design project. Their challenge is to use 3D modeling and printing to design and build or significantly repurpose products that will solve problems, needs, or wants. Winning projects will be exhibited at the Youth Expo STEM Showcase on April 11-13, 2014.